Hell J Nucl Med
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Emory cardiac toolbox (ECTb) and quantitative gated single photon emission tomography - SPET (QGS) software are the two most often used techniques for automatic calculation of left ventricular volumes (LVV) and ejection fraction (LVEF). Few studies have shown that these software are not interchangeable, however the effect of perfusion defects on performance of these software has not been widely studied. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of QGS and ECTb for the calculation of LVEF, end-systolic volume (ESV) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) in patients with normal and abnormal myocardial perfusion. ⋯ In patients with perfusion defects, calculated LVEF, ESV and EDV values are higher using ECTb compared to the QGS software. However, the more extensive the perfusion defect was, the greater the difference of LVV between these two software. For the follow up of patients, we suggest the use of a single software either QGS or ECTb, for serial measurements of LV function.
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Although in pregnancy it is strongly recommended to avoid diagnostic nuclear medicine and radiology procedures, in cases of clinical necessity or when pregnancy is not known to the physician, these diagnostic procedures are to be applied. In such cases, counseling based on accurate information and comprehensive discussion about the risks of radiation exposure to the fetus should follow. In this article, estimations of the absorbed radiation doses due to nuclear medicine and radiology diagnostic procedures during the pregnancy and their possible risk effects to the fetus are examined and then discussed. ⋯ It is concluded that nuclear medicine and radiology diagnostic procedures, if not repeated during the pregnancy, are rarely an indication for the termination of pregnancy, because the dose received by the fetus is expected to be less than 100 mSv, which indicates the threshold dose for having deterministic effects. Therefore, the risk for the fetus due to these diagnostic procedures is low. However, stochastic effects are still possible but will be minimized if the radiation absorbed dose to the fetus is kept as low as possible.
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It is the duty of the editor to communicate with the authors who submit their scientific work for publication. The question arises as to the best way to perform this communication. The goal is to publish papers that would make their authors proud and the readers of the journal, satisfied. ⋯ Explaining in detail errors and thus counseling the authors, is hard work for the editor but not always appreciated by the authors. The value of counseling and teaching has been emphasized even by ancient philosophers but nowadays enthusiasm in learning is sometimes lacking. Is there a solution to the above? Perhaps if "the instructions to authors" of a journal specified clearly the "submission terms" for accepting a paper for publication, then the authors could be self-evaluated and perhaps all parties concerned would be happier.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Evaluation of the left ventricular hemodynamic function and myocardial perfusion by gated single photon emission tomography, in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus; prodromal signs of cardiovascular disease after four years.
The aim of this study was to assess the changes in hemodynamic function and myocardial perfusion of the left ventricle occurring in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) 47-49 months after the first assessment. We have studied 20 asymptomatic patients, five females and 15 males, aged 22-46 y. The patients were under intensive insulin treatment and had normal electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest. ⋯ Nevertheless, in the current literature, we were unable to find a study similar to the present one, comparing basal and after four years LV functional GSPET data, in asymptomatic DM1 patients. In conclusion, myocardial perfusion GSPET was useful as a screening test in DM1 patients in showing four years after the basal study, prodromal signs of cardiovascular disease, especially increase of left ventricular volumes and silent myocardial ischemia, in these patients. Our research on the above protocol is being continued.
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Gamma-knife stereotactic radiosurgery offers a broad spectrum armamentarium for the safe treatment of various lesions within the central nervous system. It is widely used for treatment of metastastic brain tumors, non respectable tumours, residual or recurrent benign and malignant tumors as well as for treatment of arteriovenous malformations, functional diseases and pain disorders. It is less invasive than most other surgical methods and also cost effective compared to surgical methods and other radiation treatments.